Guardian Stone 1: Stone Genesis (21 page)

Station 1 in Earth Orbit –

January 6 – C Day 129

<
Hank, you asked me to let you know when the staff meeting was ready
.>

"Thanks Barana, I'm ready" and she transported him to the meeting.

"Hello everybody. Fador, thanks for joining us. Joe, June, Josh, Rose, Mom, Dad, Gramps, Gramma, Uncle Pete, Grigori, Sam, Lasa-Dor, Vassim, wow, a full house. If any of you have not heard about the past week by now, you have been in stasis. I would particularly like to welcome Commandant Vassim. He and his 300,000 troops started training and familiarization today and the instructors are impressed. Lets get to the nuts and bolts. Joe, what is the operational status of the fleet."

"Thanks Hank, We now have 15 Battle Divisions fully operational and manned. In addition we have two Exploration Divisions deployed, and three Planetary Defense Divisions fully operational and manned. We currently have seven type two stations on exploration duty and three of them are due back in next week. They will be combat manned as soon as they arrive potentially giving us another Battle Division. The only ships that are not battle fleet ready are the seven Type 2 stations that are on exploration missions. That will be resolved as they check back in. Effectively we have 15 Divisions to work with if we maintain the defensive units we have posted. Shortly we will have a full complement of shock troops. It is shaping up very nicely"

"Sam, you indicated you had something that might be of interest to the planning here."

"A bit of a pleasant surprise actually. You remember a few days ago I borrowed Boton and his spouse, Fonta for a bit of training. Well that exceeded expectations. It turns out that Boton and Fanta were able to easily enter into rapport once they knew how and that enhanced their range immensely. The surprise was that I was also able to enter into rapport with them and was able to hear what they could hear. They were listening in on a conversation between Abgar and Dinan on one of the ships in the Gar fleet 147 light years distant. The further surprise was that we could also hear non-telepaths in those stasis units. I suspect that we may be able to listen in on the Glarin who are awake. I did not try to do this because I wanted to remain undetected. Before that is tried we will need to be sure we can shield ourselves from the symbiotes. The intelligence gathering implications are staggering."

Hank was stunned as were most of the others in the room, he responded, "Talk about an understatement. We will need to brainstorm this with Barana, but the potential is indeed staggering. Well Josh, that will be a hard act to follow but it may help to put some meat on the bones of what we know. Appreciating how this revelation may result in some revisions, how do you think we should proceed."

"Phew, you have that right. This will definitely have an impact on parts of the plan. I think it will help to state a few of the obvious points that make this operation quite a bit more challenging.

1. We have 4 targets. The 100 missiles at 79 lights; the missiles at 30 lights beyond the Gar fleet quantity unknown; the missiles at 90 lights beyond the Gar fleet quantity unknown; and the 600 ships in the Gar fleet.
   
2. The composition of the missiles is a question. Are they warheads or are they symbiote carriers and if so what kind? Are there any new kinds in there? Are the codes we have the same that apply to these missiles? Do these missiles have transponders or something similar to tell the Gar the fate of each missile?
   
3. Why are the Gar following their own ships with missiles that contain warheads?
   
4. Are the codes we have the same for the symbiotes in the Gar fleet?
   
5. Our biggest challenge is that we do not have a clear picture of what is going on aboard those ships. Are there any Gar on board and if so how many? Are there self-destruct mechanisms on these ships and if so can they be defeated?
   
6. Our real objective here is to rescue some 600,000,000 Glarin before they can be used to unwittingly fight for the Gar."
   

"From that you can see we are missing a lot of information. The first step is to acquire better intelligence. I propose to send a ship out to each missile site to determine the types of missiles in each group. We need scans to tell us that. We need detailed scans on the symbiote carrying missiles. The scanning ship needs to remain undetected and ideally should be all done at the same time. When all ships have completed their scans, each ship should remove and shield a symbiote payload and immediately destroy all of the other missiles. When that is done the symbiote should be tested in the same way as done by Lorena. After testing, completely destroy the payload. If we do this at each missile cluster, we should be able to confirm the sequence codes. This attack should be sudden and complete. The only thing that should be removed is the symbiote payload and that will be destroyed when testing is done. Information should be relayed to Barana and the station return to base. My concern here is that if they suspect that their codes are compromised, they may have a way to change them."

"The next step is to secure scans of the ships in the Gar fleet. Here we are looking for the following specific information:

1. Are there any Gar aboard and if so how many? How many Glarin are awake, not in stasis.
   
2. Pinpoint ship self-destruct mechanisms.
   
3. Determine if a boarding party is feasible and can it contain the Gar on board.
   
4. Determine if a boarding can be done without endangering those in stasis.
   
5. Learn as much about the Gar culture as we can. What drives them, how do they think, who are they."
   

"Assuming we are able to close the intelligence gaps, we should be ready to execute by summer. The addition of Glarin shock troops and our ability to knock out the symbiotes make the use of shock troops option viable. Our first order of business is to gather that intelligence and destroy the missiles we know about. So I propose that we sent out a division to each of the known missile locations to arrive at their individual destination and at the same time, send two Divisions to the Gar fleet. When all Divisions are on station, scan and analyze the missiles and then destroy them. The Divisions at the Gar fleet can determine if there is a reaction from them. We will need to gather the information previously noted concerning the Gar Fleet. We should look for patterns of presence. Where are the individuals not in stasis located and in what numbers? If we disable the symbiotes, the Glarin who are awake should not pose a problem but the Gar may. We need awake numbers on every ship as well as movement patterns. There should be a flagship in this mess. See if we can identify it. We do not want to disclose our presence. I think we should do this intelligence gathering as soon as we can. That is what I have for now."

"OK reasonable plan. Lets do it. I have yet another mission in mind for you, so who do you have in mind for the various missions?"

"I think the 9
th
and 12
th
should do the Gar fleet component and the 5
th
, 15
th
and 17
th
should take the missiles. If another flight of missiles is found I would add the 2
nd
."

"Joe any thoughts to add."

"Not really. Josh briefed me on what he expected to cover. I think there are some real concerns about any differences we see after we have scanned those ships that Vassim's people may be able to help us with. I think the plan is sound and reasonable."

<
I have some new information to add concerning the symbiotes that I think is interesting.
>

"Thanks Barana, please tell us."

<
Actually, Lorena on Station 12 did the research. When she captured the symbiote missile, she started a thorough review of the structures of the three symbiotes found and now has completed her review. It appears that the symbiotes are designed for different effects depending on the race for which it is intended. The captured symbiotes all have destruct sequences that were discovered early in the analysis. The most recent discovery is that while the symbiotes aimed at the Glarin were intended to trigger extreme aggression and minimal access to intelligence, it also has a life span of about 600 years at which point both host and symbiote die. The other symbiotes had different impacts.
>

<
The symbiotes aimed at the Linan produce apathy, reduced self-awareness and engender blind obedience to the controllers. They also have a limited life span and have to be renewed periodically. These are not fatal to the host.
>

<
The symbiotes aimed at humans are reprehensible. These create insanity and strong suicidal urges. These are intended to kill by having the host do the dirty work. These cannot be allowed to reach humans.
>

<
Both Lorena and I have been working on a defense and have completed construction of a nanite that does provide a defense for the person exposed to the symbiote by blocking the brain receptors that are affected by the symbiotes and by sending a destruct signal to the symbiotes. This avoids the problem of a person becoming a carrier for these things. That is ready for distribution on your command. There are no ill effects for anyone so inoculated.
>

Hank said, "Nice work Barana and Lorena. Please start the inoculation process immediately for all station personnel. Also offer it to the people of Earth. We will offer it to the other planets as we contact them. As to the rest of our discussion, let's plan for an execution date ten days from today. Let's see if we can get the intelligence we need to do this with minimal losses. If we are going to put troops on those ships come summer, we need to know that we can prevent them from self-destructing. Joe, who do you have in mind to Command of this exercise."

"My first choice after Josh would be General Isaac David."

"Sounds good, I have heard good things about him. We should probably check back in a week to see what revisions, if any are needed. Joe, I want you to run with that. The reason that Josh is not going to be available is that we now are actually getting close to doing something about this fleet bearing down on us, its time to prepare a few things that I think we will need. Josh I want you and Rose to do some more exploration of this multi species rapport effort for intelligence gathering and whatever else suggests itself. If this heads in the direction that Rose was suggesting, this could be the most valuable arrow in our quiver. Explore that with Barana's help. I think her participation will provide a booster for your efforts. See if it can be used without revealing ourselves. I do not want this to be a pipeline for the enemy to get at us. It is a very important assignment."

"Sam and I are going to go over to Station 8 and pay a visit to Frote, Gella, Nimtam and Blint. Barana tells me that Akira on Station 8 is like her little sister. We are going to let the various planets know what is going on and if things go bad what is the contingency plan. We will be leaving tomorrow and expect to be back in three weeks or hopefully less. Joe, you will be in charge here until I return. We have good people so this will go on like no one is missing. Barana can get in touch if necessary but you can do this easily."

Station 8 at Various Inhabited Planets

in the Stellar Neighborhood –

January 7 – C Day 130

Akira, AI for Station 8 said,
>

"Well I am not going to be a very popular person with the ruling class then because my message is for the entire planet not a self selected few. How much of a space effort do they have?"

"That is pretty sad. How long before we arrive in orbit around Nimtam?"

"Current speed is ok, and yes, I have read his reports and recommendations and I am going to implement some action along the lines he is requesting. In fact he will be pretty happy with what I have in mind. I am amazed that so few people are able to control the lives of so many. Essentially, we are going to give freedom a bit of a bump on Nimtam. It will be interesting to see how the ruling class deals with limitations on its use of the technology it uses to keep its people in line when they have to live like the rest of the population. Please send my regards to General Ames-Smythe and Avani and let them know that I would like to meet with them when we arrive. We will meet on his home turf, Station 168 but I would like for you to listen in and respond as needed."

<
That is agreeable
.>

### Nimtam – January 8 – C Day 131 ###

On arrival, Hank and Sam were transported to Station 168 and were greeted by General Charles Ames-Smythe and Avani along with the senior staff. Hank said, "Well Charles, I gather that this is not a plum assignment. I think it is time to rattle some cages. I have read your reports and I am surprised you have been able to maintain your cool. What say we do something about this?"

General Ames-Smythe looked surprised but said, "General Stone, I would welcome almost any change on that hellhole, but,…"

Hank interrupted saying, "Charles, we are in an informal setting talking about resolutions for issues that we both recognize need to change, and my name is Hank and my wife is Sam. My experience has been that these kinds of issues move to better solutions if the discussion is not overly formal and stilted. That probably comes from having been enlisted for so much of my career. So, as you have pointed out, the problem has been the control exercised by the governance of the population. Shoot, governance is too kind a description, these people are little more than slaves. That has to change."

Charles visibly relaxed at that comment and said, "I had heard that you liked to 'cut to the quick' and the disparate technology is the core issue, aside from the personalities of the ruling cadre. Before we get further along, I should point out that in 55 minutes the ruling cadre plans a rather public execution of 131 persons because the children of those being executed were guilty of graffiti criticizing the rulers. The collars that everyone wears are the termination devices. A signal is sent to the collar of the person to be terminated and the person dies, usually slowly and painfully."

"Well that is not going to happen today. Here is what we do, Avani and Akira, please move both stations to 500 miles above their capital. Next, uncloak both stations. That will be something of a distraction. Let me know when that is done."

Both Avani and Akira reported that the move and un-cloaking was completed.

"Next, deactivate all functions other than communications on those collars on the planet for everyone except those worn by the ruling class. Those are to remain active. Where are those to be executed being held?"

Charles said, "They are all lined up on the capital steps and have been for the last hour."

"Dang, OK, Transport all of them to the station. Put them up at the meeting lodge. Make their departures a bit theatrical, with a loud popping noise with each departure. Space the departures at a rate of about 3 per second. Have food set up for them. Make sure that any of them needing medical attention get it immediately. Have at least an equal number of our people meet them and put them at ease. Assure them that they will not be executed and that they are safe. Just a thought, make sure we have some of our kids in the same age range as the ones coming up are included. That should help put the lot of them at ease. Lets do this out in one of our parks. Then I will address the planet."

"Charles, my actions today are going to cause planet wide repercussions that I will be leaving you to deal with. So, I am detaching Station 141 from Division 1 and Station 166 from Division 6. Those Stations will be under your command. I do not wish to leave these folks with no form of governance. So we will have to find people in the general population who can lead without feeling like the current leaders are their role models. I do not want you to become their replacement government. They need to take that bull by the horns for themselves. The Stations are bringing some training packages with them that you can use for those interested in leadership roles. You and Avani will really have to be watchful of the ruling class people because at the end of the day, they will all be out of a 'job' and looking for a way back in. That will not be permitted. Their actions have made them ineligible for any role in governance. That is the reason I have left their collars active. I want them tracked and isolated. They are to be relegated to menial work. After the Nimtamians get a government working, they can decide what to do about their former leaders. That is their sentence. Now its time to talk to Nimtam."

<
General Stone, I have you connected to every communication device on the planet, good show chief.
>

"People of Nimtam, I am General Henry Stone of the Antoran Fleet. The stations you see in orbit above you are two of the stations in our fleet of 100 such stations. Our reason for being here today is to advise you that an invasion fleet is on its way to destroy this planet and six others in this stellar neighborhood. We are preparing defenses against this invasion that would reach this planet in about 27 of your years if they manage to get past us. We believe we will be able to stop them. You most certainly cannot prevail against these beings. We know for a certainty that they have already destroyed at least two civilizations that were technologically far more advanced than Nimtam. Your planet is in our sphere of influence and we feel obligated to protect you if we can. Stations like the smaller of those currently in orbit have been observing events on Nimtam for hundreds of your years. If we are not successful in defeating this pending invasion, we will dispatch a station like the larger of the two currently here to evacuate your planet and move you to a place of safety."

"We are appalled at the manner in which your governing body treats the citizens of this planet. In fact we will no longer accept or tolerate the slavery that a few have imposed on the general population. To that end we have removed from your grasp those families who were to be executed for exercising their God given right to express themselves. Your rulers are prepared to execute the parents of the children who were expressing their own feelings. This is wrong and ends now. All rulers and their support are being removed from their protected enclaves and distributed amongst the general population. They are to be left alone until you have formed a democratic government and reestablished a rule of law determined by the people."

"All death penalty laws are herewith revoked until your elected legislators determine the structure of laws that you will use to govern yourselves. Your current rulers and their minions may not participate in the creation of that process or be part of the government. After today, there will be three of the smaller stations in orbit around your planet to aid and train your leaders. Once that training has occurred, two of the stations will be returned to their present assignments. We strongly believe that it is inappropriate to allow slavery to exist and that is exactly what the general population has been. That ends now. We are giving you the opportunity to correct a path that your people have taken through complacency. We hope this has been a lesson learned. The officer who will be in charge of surveillance of this planet will be General Charles Ames-Smythe. He and his staff will provide what assistance he can but will generally not be telling you what to do but rather how to do what you would like to do as a people without treading on their rights. He will be establishing communications to enable you to talk with him or his assistants."

"I sincerely hope that you can accomplish this in a short time. Those of you wishing to be in leadership positions must have support from your people. Training on how to do this will be provided by the stations in orbit for those interested and who are ethical. If you seek leadership for personal gain you may well join the current rulers. The current rulers will be sent to vacant farms where they must work for their sustenance. If any of that ruling class attempts to again exercise any form of control of a fellow citizen, he or she will be deported to a planet where it will be all you can do just to survive. General Ames-Smythe will be providing you with instructions of how to start the establishment of your own governance. Current rulers and your minions, you have 4 hours to gather what you will be taking with you. You may not take any items that represent a technology more advanced that the generally found in the general population or that represent wealth that is in excess of what would be normal for the rest of the population. That includes money, clothes, jewelry, art, etc. You will be doing manual labor for a living so dress accordingly. You may expect to be tried for crimes against the rest of your population at some time in the near future. With that, I will now leave you. Thank you and Godspeed."

Hank sent a thought message to Akira asking her to discontinue the transmission and then said, "Well Charles, hopefully that meets expectations. Also, I do not want to rely of those collars, so I want each of the ruling class tagged similarly to the way we tagged terrorists on Earth. In fact get rid of all of those blasted things and convert the communication component to something that is hand held."

"That is far more than I expected. I am going to love this. True it will be quite a bit of work but with a positive end in sight. Thank you for that. Also thank you for your assistance, I suspect it will be needed. I know the station commanders of 141 and 166. We have worked together in the past with good effect. You have me getting excited about this posting again. I won't let you down."

"I am only sorry that I could not get to it sooner." With that he went on to update him on events taking place on the Glarin/Gar front and what they were expecting to do. General Ames-Smythe expressed surprise that so much progress had been accomplished in so short a time, less than a year. Hank noted that he had a really super effective team of officers and enlisted who made it happen. He indicated that full progress reports had been transferred to Avani and thanked her for her help. He asked if there was anything else he thought he might need but Charles could think of nothing at the moment.

Hank said that he would probably need some kind of basic general broadcast on how to get started. Charles replied that he would provide weekly progress updates to keep central command up to speed. Hank then continued with a suggestion that he might want to keep his station uncloaked as a reminder to the planet that they were there. He also suggested that he might want to apply the update program for his current guests before sending them back to the planet. He then stated that he had three more planets to visit so he would be getting underway shortly. He took his leave and asked Akira to plot a course to Frote.

### Frote – January 9 – C Day 132 ###

Upon arrival at Frote and following a meeting with the commander of Station 114, General Johann Wilhelm Schmidt and the Station AI, Danica, Hank suggested a course of action, "Let's uncloak Station 114 and see how they react. I do not want to push them into panic with two stations."

Ten minutes later, Danica reported that they were being hailed from the capital city, and Hank asked to hear the hail. The voice coming through said, "Unidentified vessel, please identify yourself and state your purpose." After the third broadcast of the same message Hank responded, "Greetings, this is General Henry Stone of the Antoran Fleet. May I speak with King Estes and his prime minister, Cor please."